photos/captions/words_devin cordero
December 21, 2011
Every year around Christmastime, Zoo Miami (until recently known as Miami MetroZoo) in South Dade is decorated with all manner of animal-themed Christmas lights and decorations. The event, known as Zoo Lights, lasts for only a few nights and features the park opening its doors in the evening for Miami-area families to enjoy Christmas in the tropics. While Zoo Lights has always included Christmas caroling, hot chocolate, and many other wintry activities, new to the event this year were free “3D” glasses for every patron and a synthetic ice skating rink that visitors could enjoy for an additional fee.
The pictures featured in this post were taken the evening of December 20th. Zoo Lights runs until its last night on Friday, December 23rd. Admission is $5.00 + tax, and the attraction is open nightly from 7-10.
1. Snow – The entrance to Zoo Miami is transformed into a tropical winter wonderland with the addition of Christmas lights and fake snow machines as part of the park’s annual Zoo Lights attraction.
2. Ornament Making – A girl makes her own ornament at the central Dr. Wilde’s World pavilion. Various activities for children, ranging from ornament decoration (pictured) to christmas karaoke to pictures with Santa, were held at the central hub of Zoo Miami as part of the park’s annual Zoo Lights attraction.
3. Red-nosed Reindeer – Various animals in Christmas lights were set up throughout Zoo Miami in celebration of its annual Zoo Lights event. Here, Rudolph in Christmas lights is pictured on the far side of the park’s central lake.
4. Flamingos – Pink flamingos enjoy the Christmas lights which will be decorating their habitat until December 23rd as part of Zoo Miami’s annual Zoo Lights Christmastime celebration.
5. 3D Glasses – Admission to the Zoo Lights attraction includes a free pair of ‘3D’ glasses, which actually had the effect of changing each individual Christmas light into a twinkling snowflake when looked through, as pictured in this photo.